U.S. Army Opens Doors at Washington Heights Career Center

UNITED STATES

12.17.2008

Story by Tina Beller 

U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion

By Tina M. Beller
U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion

FORT HAMILTON, N.Y. – A handful of U.S. Army Soldiers and civilian support staff celebrated the grand opening of the U.S. Armed Forces Career Center – Washington Heights located at 517 West 181st St., in Manhattan today.

Relocated from 560 W. 181st St., the new, modern facility not only supports the U.S. Army's professional image, but also it affords the assigned Soldiers an attractive first-floor location more visible to both pedestrian and motor traffic.

"I want to say thank you to our commander and command sergeant major, our company leadership team, Ms. Rozell and our Soldiers who have helped us with this great new facility," said U.S. Army Station Commander, McKinley Knight. "This has been a long time coming – our other station was 40 years old. This begins a new era for the U.S. Army in Washington Heights."

Assessments to either repair or relocate the station began in January 2008, with the final decision to relocate being announced in early spring. The new recruiting station included upgrades to the electrical and physical security systems in addition to increased square footage and environmental improvements.

Four Army non-commissioned officers will collocate under 754 square feet of general office space, while 20 square feet have been set aside for the testing room and 68 square feet for the reception area, according to Michele Rozell, facilities manager for the New York City Recruiting Battalion. The battalion serves as the second level of leadership over the Washington Heights station and is headquartered at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn's Bay Ridge.

"The new facility is really a good improvement from the old," said Pvt. Carmen M. Batista, a Soldier new to the Army and currently in her home town performing hometown recruiting duty at the new Washington Heights location. "This new office is a complete 360 degree turnaround from the old office where I enlisted. This place makes a much better impression."

According to her recruiting non-commissioned officer, Staff Sgt. Adony A. Batista, a Dominican-American Soldier born and raised in Washington Heights, this relocation means he will be able to project a more professional image synonymous with not only the literature produced by the Army, but also his individual personal experiences as professional Soldiers who have chosen a career within the ranks of the U.S. Army.

"There we are ... trying to talk about the new Army that we are a part of, and we were bringing future Soldiers to our old office, and it was like a step back," said Batista, shaking his head. His Dominican heritage – familiar on the streets of Washington Heights – lend him an almost inherent trust and credibility with future Soldiers; however, the old building gave a different perspective to the public.

Teammate Sgt. Fernando D. Flores, said he too enlisted at the old site, some five years ago.

"Our new office and building gives a much better image for the number one Army to be projecting about itself," said Flores. "Now we will be able to back up our professional image which we always speak about to the public."

New York City Metro Company Commander, Capt. William A. Figueroa, who is the company leadership for the Soldiers serving at Washington Heights, was relieved to see his Soldiers in a facility that matches the caliber of the work they produce."

"I am most proud of their consistency," said Figueroa. "My Soldiers here at Washington Heights are always top producing. To put it into perspective for you, it is difficult to achieve 100% in our quarterly goals, but it is not impossible. Last quarter, Washington Heights achieved 115%, and for this I am very proud of them and their work."

The 517 W. 181st St., location will continue to offer over 150 different career options for persons of promise interested in an active duty career with the U.S. Army and over 120 for a career in the U.S. Army Reserve. A strong household bottom line founded on a steady U.S. Army paycheck, robust medical benefits and a five-figure educational benefit package is an offer one cannot afford to overlook during these days of unfortunate economic down turn.

• Date Taken: 12.17.2008
• Date Posted: 12.18.2008 10:23
• Story ID: 27847
• Location: US